SUMMARY: Neville Hawthorne is a fine British gentleman who has been thwarted from his archeological ambition of discovering the tomb of Neferankhotep, part of the legendary Buried Pyramid. Aided by a travel journal, and a group which includes a linguist, Sergeant/native guide, and his orphaned niece, Hawthorne is determined to finish a journey that started years before- to satisfy his curiosity and achieve a historical personal goal: "for some evidence that all the great grand things we've been told happened in the past can't be reduced to fossils and mental aberration".
However, this adventure story is fraught with peril as warnings from a mysterious "Sphinx" and a rival group appear to threaten their findings, and of course, their lives.
WRITING: Reviewing aside, the tiny font made me feel my age as it tested my bad eyesight. I loved the language and snark that Lindskold brought to these stuffy Victorian characters. She also had great storytelling ability in her historical accounts of pharaohs and the ways in which retribution is enacted concerning tomb-raiders.
The dialogue is well written: An example of this is a scene when Jenny, Eddie, and Stephen are camping and have a debate on religion and the important tenets of each. It somehow manages to be informative, funny, and at the same time inoffensive- a difficult balance to strike considering the subject matter.
CHARACTERS: I found this is where the story excelled. I saw negative reviews on Goodreads which stated the characters seemed flat and contrived. I concede the point a little...I think Lindskold provides enough personality and backstory for each without delving too much into past histories and emotions. The main storyline wouldn't support a deep character analysis, as the goal of the book is to take the reader on an Egyptian, Indiana Jones-type magical adventure story.
However, the characters were so grandiose, quirky, and affable that I fell in love with them all the same. I loved the lesser-used physical descriptions of facial hair to lend the characters personality...Lindskold describes mustaches as having "customary exuberance" and "theatrical flourishes". Stephen Holmboe, the linguist, has such an outdated fashion style and bushy side-whiskers and mustache that he resembles "an enormous ambulatory dandelion". Captain Brentworth is given a short description (bottom of pg. 41) that nails his appearance and mannerisms in just a few sentences.
The author also cares about her reader. When Neville exasperates with his "weaker-sex" opinions on females, in waltzes his niece Jenny or Lady Cheshire with a scathing remark to take him down a peg or two. He eventually realizes that all women aren't consumed with the latest fashions or finding a husband, and also won't die from strenuous activity or spicy foods that "could possibly upset one without a strong constitution." It's a long path of redemption for this guy, but he does make strides.
Also, there is a character named Chad Spice. What a fantastic name! Brock from the YouTube channel Let's Read posted a comment to the Goodreads #buriedreadalong group that he immediately envisioned the man from the Old Spice TV commercials.
PACING: My opinion might be colored from my last novel, which was almost 800 pages and quite slow in places. I found this story moved appropriately along with trip preparations and the journey, with most of the action taking place in the last one hundred pages of the story.
PLOT: The basic idea of a quest to find treasure is not a new one, but Lindskold masterfully blends exotic elements and unusual characters to make this a fun adventure. Also, there is some attraction and flirtation, but the story doesn't suffer from unnecessary romances to bog down the narrative.
WORLD BUILDING: The book is so incredibly atmospheric. From the details of camel rides, pyramids, the sweltering desert heat/grittiness of sand, and the colorful bazaars, you are blasted right into the rich locales.
FINAL RATING: 4 STARS
For whatever reason, I enjoyed the first half of the book a bit more than the last half. Even though you don't have to know Egyptian history or mythology, I think that would have been a bonus. The book also switches more toward magical realism near the end, which isn't a surprise since the book is leading you in this direction all along. There is commentary on religious belief, judgement, and the afterlife- "There are many types of kindness, and many types of law, but in the end truth and justice are the bed rock upon which good lives are built." Being a decent person is a great prevailing theme!
I really like Jane Lindskold's writing, and once again Tor Fantasy books have not let me down. This is a great book for those who love history, puzzles, adventure, and sharp writing. Thumbs up from this gal!
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